Zooming into the Mind Unraveling the Intricacies of Your Brain on Video Calls

Zooming In The Impact of Video Calls on Your Brain

By Cara Murez, HealthDay Reporter

You might think you’re having a real conversation on Zoom, but your brain begs to differ. New research, using fancy imaging tools, has discovered that the brain activity of people engaged in a face-to-face conversation looks distinctly different from that of two people gabbing away on Zoom. It’s kind of like comparing a juicy steak to a sad microwave dinner.

According to senior author Joy Hirsch, a professor at Yale University, “In this study we find that the social systems of the human brain are more active during real live in-person encounters than on Zoom.” Zoom, though it’s great for virtual happy hours and awkward work meetings, seems to fall short in the social communication department. It’s like trying to have a heartfelt conversation with your pet goldfish.

Previous studies have mostly focused on individuals instead of pairs in natural settings. But this study shifts the spotlight to the brains of people actually interacting with each other. And guess what? Our brains are finely tuned to process facial cues during in-person encounters—something Zoom just can’t replicate. It’s like trying to play charades with a blindfold on.

So, what did the researchers find? Well, they discovered that face-to-face conversations result in increased brain activity, as indicated by longer gaze time and wider pupils. It’s almost like our brains are saying, “Hey, pay attention, something important is happening here!” People engaged in in-person interactions also show enhanced face-processing ability, thanks to increased brain wave activity. It’s as if their brains are whispering, “We are social geniuses!”

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But that’s not all. The researchers also observed more coordinated neural activity between the brains of individuals in face-to-face conversations. It’s like they’re performing a mind-meld, exchanging social cues and vibes seamlessly. On the other hand, during Zoom encounters, these dynamic social interactions seem to be less apparent or even absent. It’s like watching a solo dance performance instead of a lively tango.

So why do live, face-to-face interactions matter so much? Well, as Hirsch explains, “Online representations of faces, at least with current technology, do not have the same ‘privileged access’ to social neural circuitry in the brain that is typical of the real thing.” Our brains crave that authentic human connection, and Zoom just can’t satisfy that deep longing. It’s like trying to replace a gourmet pizza with a frozen pizza pocket—just not the same.

The bottom line is, while Zoom has revolutionized virtual communication, it falls short when it comes to satisfying our innate need for real, in-person interactions. So, when restrictions lift and it’s safe to do so, get out there and engage in some good old-fashioned face-to-face conversations. Your brain will thank you. And in the meantime, let’s all acknowledge the limitations of virtual platforms and strive to connect on a deeper, more human level whenever we can. We owe it to our brains, after all.

More information:

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on social connectedness and health.

SOURCES: – Yale University, news release, Oct. 25, 2023